Philippine rebels 'will not attack US over Islam film'

This picture taken on July 7, 2012 shows Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) personnel standing in a line on a road during a gathering of top officers of the Milf in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat in the southern Philippines. -- PHOTO: AFP

MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines' largest Muslim insurgent group on Sunday rejected Al-Qaeda calls to attack United States (US) targets over an anti-Islam film that has sparked protests around the world.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) has instructed its 12,000 members to observe a ceasefire pact with the government, and will not attack US targets in the country, the Milf's chief political officer Ghazali Jaafar said.

"We do not live in the dark ages, there are rules and laws that need to be followed," Jaafar told AFP by telephone from the Milf's southern headquarters.

"We have an existing ceasefire with the Philippines, and we will not violate that." He branded the killing of the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other Americans at the US consulate in Benghazi a "senseless act of violence".